Cars account for around 12% of total European emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) - the principal greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. Climate emissions from passenger cars have been rising steadily in the EU.

In 2008, the European Parliament is discussing a proposal for an EU regulation setting CO2 emission standards for passenger cars. That would reduce CO2 emissions of new cars by 25 per cent by 2012, although European officials are coming under mounting pressure from car companies' lobby groups to weaken proposed legislation and to delay the process.

We are urging the EU to agree on tough targets for reducing the fuel consumption of new cars and not be taken in by efforts to weaken the legislation. Read more about our demands.

An old and new VW Beetle - separated by 60 years of innovation but with the same fuel consumption. (Photo credit: Lode Saidane/FoE Europe)

This campaign is coordinated by Friends of the Earth Europe and organised together with Réseau Action Climat (France), Ecologistas en Accion (Spain), Alliance Against Urban 4x4s (UK) and BUND (Germany).

The following websites are part of the campaign's actions:

For Less Polluting Cars - a cyber action where you can write to your Member of the European Parliament

Mundo Cars - an imaginary car brand for people who want to express the need for cars to become more fuel efficient

AdvertiseCO2 - a coalition of NGOs asking for the clear display of CO2 emissions on car advertisements (as outlined in European Directive 1999/94/EC)